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Divorce files and cause books

Last updated:

January 7, 2019

What do I need to know?

PROV holds records only for divorce hearings in Melbourne and Ballarat.

To search, you need to know the surname of either the husband or wife.

How do I search?

Locating Melbourne divorce records (1861-1938) is a two step search. First you will need to locate a divorce case file number using the name index in step 1, filter by year on the search result pages, then once you have found the name use the case file number to search for relevant case files in step 2.

For records from 1938 to 1943 order the index first (view in the reading room) identify the case number, and type it in below.

Divorce proceedings commenced when the husband or wife (the petitioner) or their legal representative (known as a proctor) lodged a petition for divorce at the Prothonotary’s Office of the Supreme Court.

Records of divorce cases held up until the end of 1943 are available at PROV. For more recent records, or records of hearings in locations other than Melbourne and Ballarat, contact the Supreme Court of Victoria.